Closed Captioned
Study Guide
Grades K-3
Directed by JoDee Samuelson
Produced by The National Film Board of Canada
DVD Purchase $79, Rent $45
US Release Date: 1996
Copyright Date: 1996
DVD ISBN: 0-7722-1364-1
VHS ISBN: 0-7722-0678-3
Subjects
Animation
Children's Films
Children's Stories: Animation
Education
Environment
Environmental Ethics
Language Arts
Values
Awards and Festivals
Best Director & Best Writing Awards, Atlantic Film Festival
Hiroshima International Animation Festival
Women in the Director's Chair International Film & Video Festival
Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital
Cornell Environmental Film Festival
Olympia Environmental Film Festival
Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival
Far North Conservation Film Festival
A beautifully animated environmental tale.
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"An excellent educational tool for children ages 4-8...highly recommend(ed)." Christine Sisak, MC Journal |
In this richly imagined, animated tale, two children create an entire world in their sandbox for their small friend Bear. Then people come into their play world and suddenly they're everywhere. Bear disappears into the forest. The children search for him but they're overwhelmed by the noise and pollution. They find him on top of a mountain but realize there's no place left for bears. Maybe they should start over...? Can the children make a better world for Bear?
Web Page: http://www.bullfrogfilms.com/catalog/sand.html
Reviews
"Animated with vivid, rich earth tone browns, blues and reds, splashed with accenting yellows and vibrant greens this film definitely captivates its audience with color...an excellent educational tool for children ages 4-8...highly recommend(ed)."
Christine Sisak, MC Journal
"Has much to offer viewers of all ages...This entertainingly thought-provoking program would be an asset in any school or public library collection."
Columnist's Choice, Emergency Librarian
"The animation features rich, crayon-like colors and textures reminiscent of a child's drawings. The narration is a dialogue done by children, each providing the voice of a different character. The sound quality is excellent. Children in grades four through six will best be able to understand the issues presented...Teachers and librarians seeking materials on environmental issues will find this a useful tool for spurring discussion."
School Library Journal
"I really loved the fantasy/factual components. The animation, characters, colours, music and voices are really very effective. I feel sure that the 5-6-year-olds will relate to the fantasy element first, and then, with class discussion, see the stronger environmental issues."
Carol Dodds, elementary teacher, LeMarchant St. Thomas School, Halifax
"It's a wonderful discussion starter to introduce various environmental themes and to engage young children in speaking about ethics and values. The power of this charming film is the invitation it presents to its young viewers to dream for a better world and act on that dream."
Tim Grant, editor, Green Teacher, Toronto
"The Sandbox will assist vocabulary development and help young children (preschool) become aware that humans and all living things on the planet have basic needs that cannot be supplied without clean air, water, and healthy soil. It is also very likely children will want to explore and discuss